The Greyhound, Leamington Spa

Facebook page of The Greyhound - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Greyhound - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Greyhound - www.craftunionpubs.com

Official site of The Greyhound - www.craftunionpubs.com

Well described below so briefly this a boozer with a traditional exterior but modern interior. It's all wooden floors, feature bare brick walls, sporadic metal chairs, sports shown on assorted tellys and table footie. I liked it but it isn't going to appeal to the traditionalists. Food isn't served but they keep a stack of local takeaway menus so I assume that you'd be fine to eat those here although there wasn't confirmation of this. Beer: Church Farm Harry's Heifer, Wye Valley Butty Bach, Roosters Yankee, Purity Mad Goose and UBU which was in good nick. That's a very decent selection of ales and the best that I've seen in Leamington. It felt a friendly spot and I'd certainly return for the well selected beers.

Craft Ales Sports Kitchen (geddit?) a brand-new venture I came across after perusing the local CAMRA mag in the Somerville. Run, apparently, by the people who also have the nearby Clarendon. Five ales on from Purity, Otter and Roosters. My Roosters Yankee was far too warm (sat in pump too long?) but there was a decent half trying to get out from the trendy, chunky glass. The follow-up of Purity Gold was much better. Some upmarket keg items also available. Seemingly big on gin, with little uprights at the table advertising various cocktail combinations. Staff were friendly and seemed to be genuinely happy to be there. Interior is an open-plan L-shape and not that interesting. The décor is perhaps slightly too cool for its own good with stripped floorboards, reclaimed wooden cable-wheel tables and beer label wallpaper of a design I've seen crop up in a few places. More trips to Steptoe’s Yard included seating of the type you’d have found in a 1970s comp. Two TV’s with rugby at one end and Sky Sports News at the other. Outside is a side terrace garden. The kitchen was due to open within the next fortnight. There's potential here even if my swift visit could have perhaps been a little better – give them time to bed in.